Why can't public servants run in elections?

Graphic of 4 groups of people. People are wearing suits, have a disability, are tall and short.

Graphic of people in Parliament

Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)

Graphic of people in Parliament

Graphic of 4 groups of people. People are wearing suits, have a disability, are tall and short.

Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)

Description

A graphic representing all the different types of people who are members of the Australian Parliament.

Thanks for your question. At the federal level, section 44(iv) of the Australian Constitution prevents anyone who ‘holds any office of profit under the Crown’ from being chosen as a member of parliament. This means public servants who are employed by the Australian Government must take leave without pay in order to run in an federal election and resign if they are elected. If they are not elected, they may return to work.

The rules about who is and is not eligible to run in state, territory, and local elections are decided by state and territory parliaments. You can find these rules on your state Electoral Commission website.